New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-05-18

L
They come, they comet he cried, and
| his cheeks glowed and his eyes spark
led.
"Who?" asked his mother, standing
as if in protection at the bed of Anna.
s'The enemy!" said Max hastily.
"Hussars behind a cloud Of dust!''
They rush down the hill like the
wind and will soon be here! Do not
be afraid, mother; father and are at
home" and with this heran out again.
| Soon the tramping OF horses and
clanking of spurs and sabers was
heard, angry words and much noise.
"Cursed villageW they said. every
thing deserted! Do you think we will
stand that? Burst open the doors
that are locked and fetch whatever
you find in the hovels!"
| Thus commanded the leader, and
then there began cracking and break
ing, smashing OF windows, cursing,
scolding, Laughing, whilst bags Of -four
and corn, pieces of clothing, pots OF
lard and smoked meat and other Wet
uals which had been left behind were
dragged out of the houses.
| Mother, why do you tremble?"
cried little Anna, and lifted her head
from the pillow. s'Why do these peo-
pie make so much noise? Is there a
fair to-day? My head aches so.'
'"They will soon be quiet, then you
can sleep again." said the mother.
"Listen!" said the little one.
| The noise was now heard IN their
own yard Max entered the room
pale as death, "Mother," he cried,
'they take father with them! That
must not BEL do not permit it-you
must also not permit it! They can
not If he does not want to-they are
dogs and not men-I will not-my
tather,-my dear father!'' and the
tears ran down his pale cheeks, whilst
he clenched his fists and rushed out
again, IL
II will mott" he screamed into the
| leaders face. ''You are not permit
ted to take father away from me and
mother and little Anna. I do not
permit it, do you hear?" and he grasp
ed the officers arm in saying So.
"Be still, silly little fellow" said
the officer, half laughing, half provok-
ed. Nothing is going to happen to
him; BESIDES, little people like you
have to hold their tongue. Remem-
Der that!'
Il have to say some thing" cried
| Max with raging anger. II shall not
let my father be taken away. know
what kind OF people you are. I have
seen you in the village-you have no
honest trade-you steal and rob
and kill people who have done moth
ing to YOU
"Max" cried his father, who just
came, accompanied by some soldiers,
from the stable, to put the only horse
OF the house, the old bay, into the
cart. Max stopped when he heard
the admonishing tone of the beloved
voice; then he FASTENED to his father.
81 go with you: when they take
you,' he cried resolutely. II shall
not let you go alone-I want to see
what happens"
s'And mother? and Anna? What
are you thinking OF, MAXI" .
II cannot stay behind-I cannot!'
cried the boy among tears.
'Max, be my sensible, obedient bow,
and look at your mother!"
There in the door stood the poor
woman and looked over to her hus-
band and son. The soldiers loaded
the bags and pots on tile cart and
pushed Max aside.
II am ready" said the father, and
pressed through the crowd to his
wife. Il must go; you know it; how
far [ have togo with them, / cannot
learn now. Be Of courage even if I
have to stay away a long. time
| Where is Anna? gee we'll, my child, and
do not give your mother any trouble.
And you, too, Max, my good, brave
| boy,-take care OF mother. Do YOU
hear?"
Max stood with clenched hands and
dark looks at the windows, when the
train departed; in front troop of
soldiers on horseback, then the high
laden cart with the old bay, and then
again a troop OF soldiers surrounding
his father like a prisoner.
! One hour passed quietly. The sun
shone brightly as if nothing had hap
pened, the swallows flew from their
nests and returned twitterihg to their
young ones. Max stood in the street
and watched them with bitter feel
ing in his heart.
There! suddenly-li sten-a shot
and another!
"Mother, do you hear?''
AS if she did not hear it! Shot aft
er shot in always quicker succession;
OF whatever it was meant to be; it
sounded like the roaring OF wild ami
mails; and yet Max knew that there
was men, VINO rejoiced, complained, or
hoWled;-hoWever, it was dreadful to
listen to. And between it all the re-
1 port OF the guns, which was re-echoed
from the houses OF the village.
/ "Poor father'' said the mother,
and Max looked mute into her face.
In the village street the noise and
| tumult began again. Troops OF sol
diers came along, the hussars insthe
morning had probably been their ad-
| vance guard. But this time they
were in a hurry and galloped in wild
. haste toward the woods where they
heard the fiohtino Max wanted To